John
Biguenet *
Office: Bobet 322 *
Phone: 865-2474
Homepage:
www.loyno.edu/~biguenet/ *
E-mail: biguenet@loyno.edu
Office
Hours: M&W 3:00-4:55 *
TH: 9:00-11:00 *
and by appointment
REQUIRED
TEXT: Halpern, Daniel. The Art of the Story.
First Edition. New York: Penguin Books, 1999.
COURSE
GOALS: This course examines advanced topics in the writing of fiction,
with special attention to contemporary trends in the genre. Some
attention is paid to publishing. In addition to writing short fiction,
students read extensively and analyze contemporary fiction.
READINGS:
Reading assignments should have been completed by the date indicated on
the syllabus. You should be prepared to discuss the readings in class;
however, much of what you read will not be discussed. These readings are
designed to give you a variety of models. Readings quizes may be
given if necessary.
WRITING
ASSIGNMENTS: All work (except journals) must be typed or computer
printed using a dark ribbon; all work should be double-spaced. (You
are encouraged to use the computer resources of the Writing Across the
Curriculum Center.) Please number pages, including your journal.
Check with your instructor if you have any questions about documentation.
When writing about literature from the assigned texts, always include after
the first reference to the title the number of the page upon which the
work begins. All in-class examinations should be written in bluebooks,
which are available at the bookstore.
WORKSHEETS:
Students will bring to class on the dates indicated below 16 copies of
one of their stories for workshop discussion. At the top of the story,
the student's sequence number should appear followed by A or B, as noted
below. The student's name should be included on the copy given to
the instructor.
CONFERENCES:
Students will meet individually with the instructor for a conference after
each submission of a new story.
WORKSHOP
CRITIQUES: Students will prepare one-page critiques of each story
that is included in the worksheet. The strengths and weaknesses of
the piece should be examined. In preparing these critiques, students
should focus on the story itself, not the writer; while a discussion of
the plot, characters, and setting of the story is constructive, a judgment
about the talent of the writer is not. These critiques should be
typed/computer printed and double-spaced. The title of the story
and its identifying sequence number should be centered at the top of the
page. Each critique is due the week after a story is handed out.
Though these required assignments will not be graded, students will receive
credit for the critiques; the student's name should appear on the copy
of the critique given to the instructor. Students should keep a second
copy for use during the discussion of the story, after which the critiques
will be given to the author of the story.
DUE
DATES: Deadlines are taken seriously by professional writers. Assignments
may not be handed in late unless permission is granted in advance by the
instructor. No assignment will be accepted that is more than one
week late. (Remember that all writing requires revision; schedule
your work on written assignments to allow for this necessary stage of the
writing process. You are encouraged to seek the assistance of your
instructor.) Make-up exams will be given only for compelling reasons
(as judged by the instructor).
JOURNAL
(OPTIONAL): Students may maintain a writer's journal in any form
they find convenient. This journal is used for planning writing projects,
noting ideas or observations, and responding to reading. These journals
should be turned in for review at mid-term and at the end of the semester.
Credit will be given for sustained effort.
MANUSCRIPT
SUBMISSION: Each student should submit at least one revised story
to an appropriate literary magazine by the end of the semester. Please
consult with your instructor about this submission and its format.
STUDENTS
WITH DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities who wish to receive
accommodations in this class should contact Disability Services at 865-2990
as soon as possible so that warranted accommodations can be implemented
in a timely fashion. The Office of Disability Services is located
in the Academic Enrichment Center, Monroe Hall 405.
GRADING
SYSTEM: Grades are based upon examination (40%), completion and quality
of assignments (including creative work) (40%), attendance (including required
conferences) (see attendance policy below) and participation in class (including
submission of critiques) (20%).
ATTENDANCE:
Students should make every effort to attend all classes; the success of
a workshop course depends upon the full participation of all members of
the class. After the second absence, each further absence unexcused by
the instructor may result in a reduction of the final grade by half of
a letter grade (e.g., B to C+).
PREREQUISITES:
English 122/205 and 211 (or permission of instructor).
NOTE:
This is not a Common Curriculum course.